Grader.



L. N. MORSGHER.

GRADER.

APPLICATION FILED APB..13, 190B.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' elite m1 up Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

L. N. MORSCHER. GBADEB. APPLICATION FILED APR. 13, 1908. 1,023,750. Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

L. N. MORSGHER.

' GRADER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 13, 1908.

Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

2% km 0300/3 WW/m,

.LAWEENCE N. MOBSGHER, OF ENTERPRISE, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR.TO HIMSELF AND WILLIAM J. EHRSAMZ, COTRUSTEES, OF ENTERPRISE, KANSAS.

GRADER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

Application filed April 13, 1908. Serial No. 426,734.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAWRENCE N-*MOR' soHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Enterprise, in the county of D 1Ck1l1- son and State of Kansas, have lnvented certain new and useful Improvements in Graders, of which the following is a specification.

It has heretofore been customary to separate a mass of particles into different grades by subjecting a stream of the mass to one or more successlve transverse blasts or streams of separating fluid, such as air, water, etc., the separation being dependent upon the difference in free falling velocity of the different particles of the mass and the force of the deflecting stream. In such an apparatus,

or by such method, there is a lack of uniformity of grading due to the fact that, while the force producing the movement of the stream of particles is a constant force, the deflectin stream, owing to the necessary and unavoidable inequalities of the producing mechanism, varies materially in deflecting power, and, as the welght carrying power of a stream varies as the sixth power of its velocity and the force on a given surface varies as the second power of the-velocity, comparatively minute changes in velocity of the deflecting stream cause material variations in the amount of deflection produced by such stream.

The object of my present invention, therefore, is to produce an apparatus wherein the velocity of the stream of the mass t0 be graded, and the velocity of the deflecting stream are produced by the same mechanism by means such that the ratio between the two velocities will remain constant irrespective of the fluctuations in said velocities. By such an arrangement any given particle in the mass stream will, when passing through a given space and acted on by' the deflecting stream, be deflected a uniform amount so long as the ratio between the two velocities remains constant, because if the velocity of the particle be increased it will pass the ran -e of the deflecting stream more quickly, an the deflecting stream, being correspondingly increased in the same ratio, will, while acting upon the particle a less time, be nevertheless capable of deflecting it a uniform amount owing to its increased deflecting power caused by its velocity.

Starting with the fundamental proposition that the ratio between the velocity of the mass stream and the velocity of the de flecting stream must remain constant irrespective of fluctuations in absolute velocities, many forms of apparatus may be produced to accomplish the desired results and itwill be readily apparent that successive separations may be produced by similarly acting upon thatportion of the mass stream deflected by the first deflecting stream.

The accompanying drawings illustrate diagrammatically devices embodying my invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective diagram of an apparatus embodying my invention and capable of producing four grades; Fig. 2 a diagram of a modified apparatus capable of producing three grades; Fig. 3 a diagrammatic section on line 33 of Fig. 1; and Figs. 4, '5 and 6 diagrams of modified forms of apparatus capableof accomplishing the desired results. i

In Fig. 1, I have shown a helical tubular passage comprising the-successive sections 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 which gradually de crease in radius but increase in cross section, the increase in cross section being shown as produced, in the present structure at the points 15, 16, 17, and 18. Leading through the outer wall of the helix, preferably opposite each one of the cross-sectional increases 15, 16, 17 and 18, are openings 19, the size of each of which may be controlled by any suitable damper or valve 19. Communicating with each of the openings 19 is a hollow leg 20, 21, 22, 23 which may be either closed at its bottom or may be provided with an automatically discharging closure 24 of any, ordinary, well known form, the arrangement being such that any fluid stream admitted into the hollow legs will be prevented from egress except through the upper end through the corresponding passages 19 into the helical tubular passage for the mass to be graded. Leading into each of the legs 20, 21, 22, and 23 is a supply pipe 20, 21', 22' and 23, respectively, all of which are supplied from a main supply pipe 25 and each of which is provided with a damper or valve 20", 21, 22" and 23". Pipe 25 may also be provided with an additional deflecting stream,

some means which will produce the stream in the helix in such manner that the mass of particles to be graded need not pass through the streamroducing means, and a convenient means or this purpose is an ordinary suction fan 28 to which the final section 14, of the helix, and the pipe 25 are connected, so as the conduits in the directions indicated by the arrows. Leading into the initial end of the helix is a feed hop er 30 controlled by suitable valve 31 and fe through a spout32.

In operation the fan 28 is set in motion and a stream of particles to be graded is fed into hop er 30 so as to be carried through the helix by the air stream created by fan 28. When the stream of articles reaches the first opening 19, it Wlll be met by an air stream coming through leg 20 and the relative force and velocity of this deflecting air stream will be regulated by a proper adjustment of valve 19 and the corresponding valve, 20". When these adjustments have been properly made all of the particles of the mass stream except those having the greatest free falling velocity, will be deflected away from leg 20 and will continue through section 11 of the helix, the increased cross section thereofaccommodating the increased volume due to the addition of the while the particles which are not deflected will pass into the hollow leg 20 and be there collected. As the mass stream continues to move through the helix the centrifugal force of the particles will increase owing to the decreased radius of the helix and at each successive opening 19 a deflecting stream will be admitted and another separation produced in the manner already described, the several valves being suitably adjusted. After the valves have been once adjusted, for a given separation, ordinary fluctuations in the speed of the fan 28, causing fluctuations in velocities of the fluid stream through the helix and the deflecting stream through the hollow legs, will not aflect or vary the ratio established between the fluid mass-carrying stream in the helix and the deflecting fluid streams in said legs so that there will be no variation in the grades separated by the apparatus.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a suctionfan 40 which delivers into any ordinary dust collector 41. Leading into fan 40 is a tube 42 which, at its opposite end is provided with an inlet 43 controlled b a valve 44. Leading into tube 42 between an 40 and the inlet 43 is a tube 45, andarranged opposite the discharge end of said tube 45 is acollecting hopper 46, the mouth of which is controlled by an adjustable valve 47. Tube 45 is provided at its outer end with an inlet48 irwhich-is controlled by a valve 49,

and leading into the tube 45 between inlet to produce streams through 48 and its discharge end, is a similar pipe 50 opposite the discharge end of which is arranged a collecting h'o er 51 having a mouth controlled by an a Leading into tube '50 is -a hopper 53 having a controlling valve 54.

In the operation. of this device an air stream is established through the pipes 42, v

45 and 50, and inlets 43, 48 and hopper 53 by the fan 40, and a stream of particles is fed into said hopper. As the mass stream passes from tube .50 into tube 45 it is met by the air stream entering through inlet 48 and those portions having the least free falling A velocity will be deflected into the tube 45 while those particles having the greater free falling velocity willpass through the deflecting stream and into hopper 51, the desired separation being produced by a proper adjustment of the valves 49 and 52.

When the mass stream passes from tube 45.

into tube 42 there will be a? second separation in the manner already described, and after the several valves are once adjusted ordinary fluctuations in speed of the fan 40, and consequent fluctuations in the velocity of the mass stream, will produce cor res onding fluctuations invelocities of the deflecting streams and the ratios between the velocities of the mass streams and the deflecting streams will remain constant and the degree of separation or grading will also remain constant.

In order that the force of gravityanay not have any material efl'ect upon theoperation of the apparatus, it is advisable that the velocities of the mass stream and the deflecting stream be muchv higher than the velocities obtainable by same distances.

In Fig. 4, 60 indicates one turn of a spiral channel adapted to deliver tangentially through an opening 61 into a receiving leg 62. Arranged parallel with the leg 62 and joining the opening 61 is anair passage 63 having an adjustable inlet 64 the arrangement being such that the dust laden current is introduced through the spiral passage ust-able valve 52.

gravity through the of heavy particles passing into leg 62 and the deflecting current of course bearing at all times a constant ratio to the dust laden current passing through the spiral 60, in the (manner alread described.

;In Fig. 5 t espiral passage Wis provided w1th a substantially tangential leg 71 which delivers into the receiving leg 72,

an adjustable air inlet 73 being provided in suction at the point 80 from a chamber 81 provided with one or more air inlets 82 said chamber being provided at its farther ends with a receiving leg 83. Delivering into chamber 81 is a comparatively small passage 8-1 the inner end. of which extends into chamber 81 beyond the outlet 80. The dust laden current is delivered by any suitable means into the open end 85 of the passage 84 so that, a current of air will be drawn into saidopen end 85 with the dust laden current and be moved therethrough with sutiicient velocity to cause the heavier particles to pass-on throu h the deflecting current enter.- ing the openings 82, as clearly indicated in the diagram.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a grader, the combination, of a suction fan, a helical part-icle-lad en-streamdefining conduit leading thereinto and having a particle outlet arranged in the normal trajectory of the particles under the action of the suction fan at the point of such outlet, and also having an increase of cross section toward the fan, a defiecting-stream-defining conduit leading into the first conduit adjacent but outside the particle outlet and substantially at the aforesaid increase of cross section, a particle-receptacle arranged in the trajactory of particles projected through the particle opening and beyond the deflecting-stream conduit in such manner that particles may pass through the particle opening to the particle chamber without meeting solid obstruction, and a conduit leading from the suction fan to the deflect- 0 ing-stream-defining conduit.

2. In a grader, the combination, of a suction fan, a particle-laden-stream-defining conduit leading thereinto and having a particle outlet arranged in the normal trajectory of the particles under the action of the suction fan at the point of such outlet, and also having an increase of cross section to- 'ward the fan, a deflecting-stream-defining conduit leading into the first conduit adjacent but outside the particle outlet and substantially at the aforesaid increase of cross section, a particle-receptaclearranged in the trajectory of particles projected through the particle opening and beyond the deflecting-stream conduit in such man ner that particles may pass through the particle opening to the particle chamber without meeting solid obstruction, and a conduit leading from the suction fan to the deflecttion of the suction fanat the point of such outlet, a deflecting-stream-defining conduit" leading into the first conduit adjacent but outside the particle outlet, a particle-receptacle arranged in the trajectory of particles pro ected-- through theparticle opening and beyond the deflecting-stream conduit insuch'. manner that particles may pass through the particle opening to the particle chamber without meet-mg solid obstruct-ions, and a conduit-leading fromthe suction fan to the deflecting-stream-defining conduit.

4. In a grader, the combination, of a suction fan, a particle-laden-stream-defining conduit leading thereinto and having a particle outlet arranged in the normal trajectory of the particles under the action of the suction fan at the point of such outlet, a deflecting-stream defining conduit leading into the first conduit adjacent but outside the particle outlet, a particle-receptacle arranged in the trajectory of particles projected through the particle opening and beyond the deflecting-stream conduit in such manner that particles may pass through the particle opening to the particle chamher without meeting solid obstructions, and a conduit leading from the suction fan to the defiecting-stream-defining' conduit.

5. In a grader, a helical particle-ladenstream-defining conduit decreasin in radius from the feed end, a plurality of defiecting-stream-defining conduits leading into said first mentioned conduit at successive points, and means for simultaneously producing a fluid stream in said several conduits and maintaining the ratios of velocities of the particle-laden-stream and the deflecting streams.

6. In a grader, a helical particle-ladenstream-defining conduits decreasing in radius and increasing in cross-section at successive points from the feed end, a plurality of deflecting-stream-defining conduits leading into" said first mentioned conduit at successive points of increase of cross-section, and means for simultaneouslyproducinga fluid stream in said several conduits and maintaining the ratios of velocities of the particle-laden-stream and the defleet-ing streams.

7. In a grader, a helical particle-ladenstream-defining conduit decreasing,in radius from the feed end, a plurality of deflecting-stream-defining conduits leading into said first mentioned conduit at successive points, a suction fan connected with the discharge end of the first mentioned conduit, and a discharge conduit leading from said suction fan and discharging into the deflecting-stream-defining conduits.

8. In a grader, a helical partioledadenstream-defining conduit decreasing in radius and increasing in cross-section at successive rality o deflecting-stream-defining conduits leading into said first mentioned conduit at successive points of increase of cross-section, a suction fan connected with the discharge end of the first. mentioned conduit, and a discharge conduit leading from said suction fan and discharging into the deflecting-stream-defining conduits.

oints from the feed end, a plu- In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set 10 LAWRENCE N. museum 8-] Witnesses:

A.M. HENE, W. R. WEEKS. 

